Savory Oyster Sauce Stir-Fried Fish Cakes
10-Minute Quick Side Dish: Oyster Sauce Stir-Fried Fish Cakes Recipe
We made a simple and delicious stir-fried fish cake with oyster sauce. This quick and flavorful dish is perfect for a weeknight side, adding a savory umami boost to your meal.
Main Ingredients
- 1 package of fish cakes (eomuk, approx. 300g)
- 1 Korean chili pepper (optional, for a spicy kick)
- 1/3 medium onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all your ingredients. Cut the fish cakes into bite-sized pieces, about 2cm x 7cm or 3cm x 5cm. Slice the onion thinly. If using the Korean chili pepper, remove the seeds and mince it finely. You can adjust the size and shape of the fish cakes to your preference.
Step 2
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions first and sauté for about 2 minutes until they become fragrant and translucent. Sautéing the onions until they start to soften will bring out their natural sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 3
Once the onions are slightly softened, add the cut fish cakes to the pan. Continue to stir-fry with the onions for another minute. You’ll know it’s ready when the fish cakes start to soften slightly and sizzle in the pan.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the savory sauce that will make this dish so delicious. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of oligo syrup, a pinch of black pepper, and 2-3 tablespoons of water. Mix them well. Adding a little water helps the sauce coat the fish cakes evenly and keeps the dish moist.
Step 5
Pour the prepared sauce into the pan with the cooking fish cakes and onions. Stir everything together gently with a spatula, ensuring the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly. Keep the heat on medium-low to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 6
Once the sauce has coated the fish cakes nicely, add the minced Korean chili pepper. Stir-fry for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Adding the chili pepper towards the end preserves its fresh, spicy aroma and flavor. If you prefer less heat, you can omit it or use a smaller amount.
Step 7
Continue to stir-fry everything together for about 3 more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for an extra nutty aroma. Your delicious Oyster Sauce Stir-Fried Fish Cakes are now ready! They taste great served warm, or you can let them cool and store them in an airtight container for a fantastic make-ahead side dish.
